Lightweight directory access protocol interface to directory assistance systems

Abstract

A method for mapping a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) interface to a Directory Assistance (DA) system can comprise the following steps. First, LDAP compatible search arguments for searching an LDAP database can be extracted from an LDAP request. Second, the LDAP compatible search arguments can be converted to search arguments compatible with a DA system database. Third, the DA system database can be queried using the converted search arguments. Fourth, a result set of listings from the DA system database can be received in response to the query. Finally, the result set can be converted to a result set compatible with LDAP. Preferably, each of the five steps can be performed in a plug-in to the LDAP server. Additionally, the method can include the step of receiving the LDAP request from an LDAP client. Moreover, the method can include the step of receiving the LDAP request in an LDAP server.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.